TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Despite a slight deterioration in
affordability across all housing types in the third quarter,
Saskatchewan's housing affordability levels remained on relatively
solid ground compared to the rest of Canada, according to the latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report issued today by RBC Economics Research.

Housing market activity in Saskatchewan proved to be largely uneventful
in the third quarter, as home resales were mostly flat at
historically-high levels and as prices continued to rise at modest
rates across the province.

"With Saskatchewan's housing affordability levels largely trending
sideways since 2009 and hovering close to historical norms, it's likely
that affordability concerns are having little impact on homebuyers'
decision making," said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief
economist, RBC. "In the near-term, we expect the province's strong
labour market and population growth to continue as the most powerful
factors influencing homebuyer demand."

The RBC housing affordability measures, which capture the province's
proportion of pre-tax household income needed to service the costs of
owning a home at market values, deteriorated somewhat in the third
quarter of 2013 (an increase in the measure represents deterioration in
affordability).

RBC's measures for the costs of owning a home in Saskatchewan at current
market prices edged slightly higher by 0.6 percentage points to 41.3
per cent for two-storey homes, 0.2 percentage points to 25.1 per cent
for condominiums and 0.1 percentage points to 37.2 per cent for
detached bungalows.

The RBC Housing Affordability Measure, which has been compiled since
1985, is based on the costs of owning a detached bungalow (a reasonable
property benchmark for the housing market in Canada) at market value.
Alternative housing types are also presented, including a standard
two-storey home and a standard condominium apartment. The higher the
reading, the more difficult it is to afford a home at market values.
For example, an affordability reading of 50 per cent means that
homeownership costs, including mortgage payments, utilities and
property taxes, would take up 50 per cent of a typical household's
monthly pre-tax income.

Highlights from across Canada:

British Columbia's housing affordability ebbs
Firmer market conditions in the third quarter propped up home prices in
the province, contributing to erosion in housing affordability levels.
RBC measures rose by 1.5 percentage points for bungalows, 1.2
percentage points for two-storey homes, and 0.8 percentage points for
condominiums.

Alberta's affordability remains attractive despite deteriorationAlberta's housing affordability deteriorated for the third consecutive
quarter in the third quarter, albeit modestly. This kept the province
in an attractive position relative to other provinces with respect to
affordable housing. RBC's measures rose 0.6 percentage points for
bungalows, 0.2 percentage points for two-storey homes and 0.1
percentage points for condominiums.

Manitoba's housing affordability mirroring the national picture
RBC's measures for Manitoba increased by almost the same magnitude as
Canadian measures for single family homes in the third quarter (0.6
percentage points for bungalows and two-storey homes), while the
measure for condos remained unchanged compared to a marginal rise of
0.1 percentage points in Canada overall.

Ontario's single-family homes are tougher to afford relative to condosOntario saw a further modest erosion in housing affordability in the
third quarter, largely concentrated in the single-family home segment.
RBC's measures rose by 0.9 percentage points for bungalows, 0.7
percentage points for two-storey homes and 0.2 percentage points for
condominiums.

Quebec's affordability reverses earlier improvements
Small improvements in Quebec's affordability levels that took place in
the second quarter were for the most part reversed in the third
quarter. RBC measures rose for two of three housing types tracked; up
0.6 percentage points for two-storey homes and 0.5 percentage points
for bungalows. The measure for condominiums remained unchanged.

Atlantic Canada's affordability levels remain within manageable range
Affordability in the region compares well against the rest of the
country, showing little movement in the third quarter, and keeping
within a very manageable range for homebuyers. RBC's measures edged
higher by 0.5 percentage points for two-storey homes and by 0.2
percentage points for bungalows. The measure remained unchanged for
condominiums in the region.